Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye and even Joe Milton all received some team reps during the New England Patriots’ eighth training camp practice on Friday. Bailey Zappe, on the other hand, was the lone quarterback not called up in 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 drills.

For the third-year passer, the session presented arguably the low point in what had already been a challenging summer. Less than seven months removed from serving as the Patriots’ starting quarterback, Zappe’s future with the organization appears to be in serious doubt — something he himself seems to recognize.

“It’s hard,” Zappe told reporters about his usage after Friday’s session. “You look back, started eight games last year. Obviously, you have that on your résumé — nobody’s going to forget that whether it’s here, whether it’s wherever.

“Obviously, I want to be here. I want to play here. I want to do everything I can to help this organization win. It is hard, but I’m trying to be the best teammate I can because that’s what’s best for this team and that’s how we can win games. Whether I’m on the field or on the sideline, I’m going to do everything I can to help the guys.”

A fourth-round draft pick in 2022, Zappe initially joined the Patriots to back up former first-round draft pick Mac Jones. With Jones suffering a high-ankle sprain early in Zappe’s rookie campaign, however, the youngster was thrown into the fire.

Zappe ended up starting two games in place of Jones (as well as an injured Brian Hoyer), and looked surprisingly capable. “Zappe Fever” was not meant to last, however. He did not take another snap following Jones’ return and was released ahead of the 2023 roster cutdown deadline.

Zappe eventually rejoined the team via its practice squad, and halfway through the Patriots’ chaotic and underwhelming 2023 campaign was handed the keys to the offense: with the wheels coming off Jones, New England’s coaching staff decided to make a change — one that ultimately proved rather inconsequential for the 4-13 team.

In the offseason, Zappe then had the watch the Patriots trade Jones and bring three passers aboard: Jacoby Brissett was signed in free agency, while Drake Maye and Joe Milton were selected in the first and sixth rounds of the NFL Draft. Despite the starting experience he gained over his previous two seasons, those acquisitions pushed Zappe down the depth chart.

While initially considered a QB3 candidate behind Brissett and Maye, he was overtaken by Milton as well. While the two did split reps ahead of Friday, the writing therefore appears to be on the wall for Zappe.

Nonetheless, the 25-year-old is trying to remain positive.

“Obviously, [Jerod] Mayo’s preaching quality over quantity. That’s kind of been my mindset going through this whole training camp,” Zappe said. “No matter if it’s five, or 10, or today none, I will do everything I can to help the team win as far as helping Jacoby out, helping Drake out after they go through their series.

“My mindset going into this training camp was just to improve on the things that I struggled with last year as far as turning the ball over. Going into training camp now, I’ve been careful with the ball, haven’t had any turnovers. Just continuing that and I think the reps are going to come, stuff’s going to come. I believe in the coaches and I feel like if the opportunity presents itself, I’ll take advantage of it.”

Saturday should be the next opportunity for Zappe to show what he can still offer the team. Given his usage so far this summer, however, it would not be a surprise if he again saw limited action either.